title: Sub-acute toxicity of cultured mycelia of himalayan entomogenous fungus Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. in rats.
abstract: Oral administration of laboratory cultured mycelia powder of C. sinensis did not show any sign of toxicity as no significant change was observed in organ weight and serological parameters in rats. However, there was a significant increase in food intake, body weight gain and hematological parameters like WBC, RBC, Hb and lymphocytes in treated groups. Histopathology of vital organs also supported the non toxic effect of C. sinensis. The results conclude that laboratory cultured mycelia powder of C. sinensis is safe and non toxic up to 2 g/kg body weight dose.
authors.affiliation: Defence Institute of Bio-Energy Research, DRDO, Field Station, Pithoragarh 262 501, India. harsahayudps@gmail.com
authors.forename: Harsahay
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meena
authors.forename: Kshetra Pal
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Prem Sing
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Negi
authors.forename: Zakwan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D032661:Cordyceps / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D025282:Mycelium / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D059551:Toxicity Tests, Subacute